Definition of lobster

The word "lobster" has a fascinating history! The term "lobster" originates from the Middle English word "lombester," which is derived from the Old French "homard," meaning "large claw." This Old French word is believed to have originated from the Latin "cancer," which refers to a type of crab. In the 14th century, the English referred to the crustacean as "lombester" or "lobster," possibly due to its large claws resembling a bear's paws. Over time, the term "lobster" became the standard English word for the marine animal, and has since been adopted into many languages. Interestingly, the first recorded use of the word "lobster" in English dates back to around 1290 in a medieval manuscript! From then on, the word has stuck, and we've come to associate it with the delicious, succulent seafood we know and love today.